Chapter 01 of the Gospel of Matthew introduces us to the supernatural nature of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the conflict that presented to Joseph, and outlines the royal lineage of Christ (as compared to the natural lineage we covered in the Gospel of Luke). ✝️😊

Acts Chapter 28 is the concluding chapter of Luke's work. It has a famous story where Paul was laying wood on a campfire (after the travelers made their way to shore on the island of Malta after the shipwreck) and a snake jumped out and hit him so hard that it was dangling from his hand. Paul shook the snake off and was not injured. The chapter ends with Paul addressing the Roman Jews and attempting to bring them to the Truth of Christ. Great episode!! ✝🤠

Chapter 27 of Acts is a short chapter covering Paul's voyage from Ceasarea to Rome, but he doesn't quite make it because they are hit by a raging typhoon and spend fourteen days being thrust about in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea!! 😱✝

Acts Chapter 26 is a great little chapter! Remember previously Paul was tried by Governor Felix, who kicked the can down the road to Governor Festus, and now we have the Apostle Paul defending himself before King Agrippa II!🤠 Paul recounts his conversion on the road to Damascus and communicates Christ's task for him quite succinctly. He even backs the king into a corner.. listen to learn more!! ✝

Acts Chapter 25 is a small chapter that introduces Festus as Governor replacing Felix. Governor Festus spends some time in Jerusalem where the Jewish leaders ask that he transfer Paul to them, but instead the new Governor said that if they wish to present their case to him, they may do so in Caesarea. Important to remember is that Paul had been incarcerated for two years so far, without a conviction. King Herod II is introduced in the last part of the chapter. ✝

In Acts Chapter 24, we have Paul's trial before Governor Felix. They wait five days for the accusers to arrive from Jerusalem, and they bring with them Tertallus, an orator (or attorney), to prosecute the charges against Paul, who is left to defend himself. The trial is obviously a sham, but the Governor is afraid to offend the Jews so he orders Paul held until the commander arrives to provide his testimony (which he already did in the form of a letter, it is a delaying tactic as I explain in the episode). Paul is held for two years, until Governor Felix is succeeded by a new governor Porcius Festus that ends the chapter. 🤠✝

Acts Chapter 23 opens with the Apostle Paul addressing the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Council at the time) and the corrupt High Priest Ananias. Paul realizes that he will likely not win in a debate with the corrupt official, and begins a theological debate between the Sadducees (only believe in the Pentateuch) and Pharisees (believe in resurrection, Angels, and spirits) about resurrection. Chaos ensues, so the roman commander rescues Paul and writes a letter to Governor Felix about the issue, and sends Paul to him.

Chapter 22 in Acts is a continuation of Chapter 21, where Paul defends himself against the false accusations of the Judaizers. He repeats his Testimony of conversion on the road to Damascus, and the vision Christ gave him on his mission. After Paul mentions that Christ ordered him to bring the Good News to the Gentiles, the crowd erupts again ordering him killed. The Roman officer nearly scourges Paul, until he finds out that Paul is a Roman citizen, then they become nervous and make plans to bring him before the Jewish High Council (at the time called the Sanhedrin). Great Chapter! ✝🤠

In chapter 21 of Acts of the Apostles, Paul leaves the Ephesian elders at Miletus, and boards a small ship for a quick jaunt around the coastline to Tyre, and then leaves for Caesarea. Paul is met warmly by the Christians and James (brother of Jesus, not the James that was martyred with a sword by King Herod) with the church elders in Jerusalem. However the Judaizers (those that believed Gentiles must strictly adhere and adapt to the laws of Moses if they are to be followers of Christ) once again falsely accuse Paul and he is imprisoned. At the end of the chapter Paul asks permission from the Roman commander to address the people, and he does so in Aramaic.

Acts Chapter 20 begins with Paul traveling to Macedonia, Greece, and Troas; and by the end of the chapter requesting the Ephesian elders to meet with him, because he knew by the Grace of The Spirit he would never see them again. Paul left them with two important concepts:

1. Love of money is a hallmark of false teachers.
2. The Bible is The Word and the Source for Spiritual Growth

I provide some explanation and sample accompanying verses to enhance these concepts, because many people have lost their way, and remember "The Way" was the name Disciples of Christ gave to themselves (because Christ called Himself The Way), so it is important to remember where we were, who we are, and where we "should" be going.

Love of money is a hallmark of false teachers: Isaiah 56:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 11 Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain.

Jeremiah 6:13 New Living Translation (NLT) 13 “From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are all frauds. Micah 3:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 11 You rulers make decisions based on bribes; you priests teach God’s laws only for a price; you prophets won’t prophesy unless you are paid. Yet all of you claim to depend on the Lord. “No harm can come to us,” you say, “for the Lord is here among us.”

Titus 1:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 11 They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. 2 Peter 2:3 New Living Translation (NLT) 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

The Bible (Word) is the source for spiritual Growth 1 Thessalonians 2:13 New Living Translation (NLT) 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT) 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 1 Peter 2:2 New Living Translation (NLT) 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

The church is the pillar and foundation of the Truth 1 Timothy 3:15 New Living Translation (NLT) 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Great Episode! 🤠✝